The FBI and the Anti-Defamation League

Documents

The following
files were obtained by Freedom of Information Act from the FBI.
Since the 1940s, the record reveals ADL attempting to liaise with the FBI
by offering the ADL member network as an FBI resource. The details of this attempted collaboration by an organization portraying
itself as a nonprofit social welfare organization are surprising. FBI field offices report
that some ADL operatives are
inadequate for the job. The ADL attempts to simultaneously conceal and
leverage FBI relationships, even claiming to train the bureau on the
finer points of investigation.

The
files contain many surprising ADL undercover operations. In 1941 ADL operative Arnold Forster is caught with an associate infiltrating an
America First Party event with stolen press credentials. The ADL
uses media
pressure and offers payoffs to quash a police investigation, according to
the FBI.

In 1951 the FBI is tasked by the
US State Department to investigate ADL allegations of illicit
activities by Arab League operatives in New York. The FBI
investigation is cancelled after ADL's undercover operative is found to
be compromised and unreliable.

In 1968 FBI Director J Edgar
Hoover ordered all FBI field offices to establish liaisons with ADL
regional offices, an order repeated by the FBI HQ in 1985. But
some in the bureau had second thoughts. In 1969 the ADL infiltrated the
18th annual National Convention of Arab
Students. ADL operatives operating under code name pose as reporters and
strategize how to gain control of the National headquarters while
neutralizing OAS chapters. After receiving the report, an FBI analyst
suggests
investigating the ADL as an Israeli foreign agent. But the ADL
operation seems to have been a quiet success as OAS chapters became less
integrated in following decades and gradually change names and begin
serving more as campus clubs with cultural (rather than political)
outreach.

In 1993 the ADL was
rocked by a national crisis when the collaboration of a long-time
undercover investigator, Roy "Cal Bullock" and San Francisco Police
Department officer (and on-and-off CIA operative) Tom Gerard were
discovered spying on California Arab and anti-Apartheid groups.
The discovery led to search warrants, raids on ADL offices, and large
court settlements for victims of ADL privacy right violations.
Files of this episode are located in a separate archive,
http://www.IRmep.org/ila/ADL-CA

During the same
period, the ADL California offices were being investigated, the ADL asked
the FBI to criminally
investigate a large number of alleged anonymous phone calls and letters sent to the ADL.
The FBI
judged many to be "non-threatening" and closed other cases for lack
of suspects.

Shortly before
9/11, the ADL won a long-coveted honor: co-hosting and
FBI and ADL coordinated "Symposium
on Hate Crime and Extremism."

Israel Lobby
Archivist note: The Federal Bureau of
Investigation at one time possessed up to 10,800 pages of information
about the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). However, according to an
interim April, 2013 FOIA release letter,
some records "were destroyed between
the years 1972 through 2007." Also, according to the FBI,
"potentially responsive records were not in their expected location and
could not be located after a reasonable search." Other historic FBI material on the ADL has
been transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). Some of this material was released on July 10, 2015.
(Release letter). All files are in PDF format.
OCR versions have been scanned so that text is searchable.

On August 8, 1940 the ADL
offers a confidential list of hundreds of undercover ADL investigators
compiled by Miles Goldberg to the FBI Director. Some
members of the list, such as Abraham
Feinberg, are later criminally investigated by the FBI as
agents of a foreign government and for quashing arms-smuggling
investigations. But the ADL offers the contact list as a
resource for FBI informants and additional undercover agents.

On August 22, 1940, an
undercover ADL investigator attempts to prevent the FBI from
knowing about his activities since, "the Anti-Jewish element has
accused the Anti-Defamation League of having private
investigators, and the Anti-Defamation League does not wish it
to become generally known that they do employ private
investigators."

FBI special agent warns FBI director of an ADL
investigator who is judged "mentally unbalanced by agents of
this office who have contacted him."

All FBI field offices are
offered ADL contact lists as a force multiplier by the Chicago
FBI field office. "Mr. Goldberg has advised that the
persons named in the lists will cooperate and wil make available
any files in their possession; also if requested would endeavor
to secure information on individuals in whom a particular field
office is interested."

On April 8, 1942 the ADL forwards to the FBI
director a copy of pamphlet "The Hidden Hand" being circulated
by Col. E. N. Sanctuary. On April 17, 1942 the ADL
forwards three copies of its newsletter.

May 7, 1942, FBI director objects to William I
Boxerman of the ADL's characterization of FBI agents and
investigations, warns of rift with ADL, which announces it fired
Boxerman on May 25.

May 19, 1942, Assistant Director P.E. Foxworth
warns FBI director that informants for the Non-Sectarian
Anti-Nazi League and ADL were engaging in "shake-downs" of
individuals who were possibly "loyal and innocent." J.L.
Pearcy advises that the Anti-Nazi League and ADL were
"interested only in their own material benefit and their work is
directed more in the line of persecution and of framing their
enemies than the exposing of Nazism and Facism..."

November 4, 1942, the FBI reports contacts
with ADL after reports "that the Anti-Defamation League was
circulating a report which showed that during the year that
organization conducted 373 investigations for the FBI....the
Director had been forced to take the position long before the
emergency that private investigative agencies had no excuse for
existence, that they only created hysteria and contributed to
vigilantism and a mob spirit...the FBI had never asked the ADL
to conduct an investigation..." On November 26, 1942, The
FBI reveals the person responsible was Jacob Spolansky, of the
American Jewish Committee. The ADL offers to disband after
the FBI reports on the activities of undercover ADL investigator
Frank Prince, who had announced he would soon be replacing the
FBI director...

On June 30, 1943, Luigi S. Crisculo reports
being baited by Anti-Nazi and Anti-Defamation League agents
claiming to be "unofficial auxiliaries of the Department of
Justice."

Special Agent in Charge Sears opinion that
some ADL reports of anti-Semitism and undercover investigations
"not worth anything....(rumor) for political purposes.
"Sears glad-hands them and personally reviews their complaints
and is not worried about their indirect complaint—that's the way
they keep themselves important."

On November 15, 1943 SAC Drayton complains to the
FBI director about insistent requests his FBI field office
participate in an ADL meeting. "I am writing to the Bureau
because I cannot understand the reason for the insistence of the
Anti Defamation League that a representative of this Bureau
address this group. However, I feel that there is some
ulterior motive which influences them to be so insistent.
In any event, no representative of this office will address this
meeting."

February 9, 1944 FBI report
that Jack Holmes of Warner Brothers Studio claimed the ADL had
received $3 million in 1943 "most of which was contributed by
the major motion picture studios and by prominent Jewish motion
picture actors, directors and others prominent in the industry.
He stated that Warner Brothers Studio alone contributed $60,000
to the fund..." ADL reported to try to spotlight
activities of Japanese Americans through "secret fund."

Nissan Gross, of the ADL requests on March 21,
1944 if he can periodically check with the FBI to see whether a
"duplication of investigation" is occurring and if he could
"under such circumstances, he could check with this office to
ascertain the information that we had on file in regard to the
individual or whether we were in fact conducting an
investigation of the individual." Gross rebuffed by SAC
Drayton - report on March 24, 1944. "As the Bureau can see,
under the procedure suggested by Gross, the Anti Defamation
League would have an opportunity to learn of the informants
being utilized by the Bureau and would also be in a position to
learn of those under investigation."

U.S. Senator Rufus Holman asks for an FBI and
DOJ investigation claiming the ADL was orchestrating a boycott
of his business and reelection campaign, April 10, 1944.
"Senator Holman stated he understood that the purpose of the
organization was to uncover anti-Jewish statements and that the
Jews would then boycott people who were reported to make such
remarks without a hearing or chance to be heard...He further
remarked that there was no check upon the activities of the Anti
Defamation League..." Portland FBI office confirms it carries
attorney David Robinson, head of the ADL Oregon office, as
Confidential Informant #7 "on the Bureau's records..." and that
"Robinson is endeavoring to line up the Jewish vote behind Morse
[Homan's opponent]." Special Agent David A. Silver reports
"Jack Barde of the Barde Steel Company and Abe Gilbert of the
Gilbert Hardware Company, both of Portland, and both Jews, gave
a dinner for Senator Holman. Silver said he was heard that
Robinson chided them for doing so."

Holman asks that the Attorney General "answer
the following questions:

1. Is the Anti-Defamation League recognized
officially by the Government and the
United States?
2. How do they determine who is Anti-Semitic?
3. What is their weapon?
4. Who finances it? Who contributes to it and in what amounts?"

Editor's note: The AG refused
to investigate. Holman was defeated by Wayne Morse.

March 22, 1944 that ADL is planting "Sinarquist
Movement" material in the St. Louis Dispatch.

Paul Richmond complains ADL "does not have a
good name and in some quarters is referred to a the 'Jewish
Gestapo.'" Assistant FBI Director notes, "Hear they bring
on suspicion of their outfit by their own conduct..."

Copy of a 1945 American Jewish Committee and
Anti-Defamation League joint fundraising letter to raise $4
million. Text: "Out of Every 100 Americans, 25 are
infected with Anti-Semitism! 25 are Opposed to Anti-Semitism! 50
Have no fixed opinions and can be swung to either the group
opposed to anti-Semitism or the group definitely
anti-Semitic...This war on the home front requires men highly
trained and skilled in the techniques of combating religious and
racial bigotry...In the field of radio we have averaged more
than 65,000 individual station broadcasts this year...Every
publication day throughout the year the general press...receives
and uses some material from this division...333,000 copies of
important books carrying our message...9,000,000
pamphlets...40,000,000 comic books!"

ADL's Paul Richman asks the FBI whether it
should take any individualswith unknown but unsavory backgrounds off their
official speakers list, February 6, 1947.
The FBI refuses to cooperate.

June, 1946 ADL Newsletter called The
Facts, Reported monthly by the National Fact-Finding Department
of the ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE of B'nai B'rith.. "This issue of The Facts is devoted to two
widely different examples of clandestine propaganda-peddling
inimical to Jewish community welfare; the organized Arab
pressure groups in the United States and Merwin K. Hart's
National Economic Council. Neither group engages in
frontal assaults, typified by vulgar vilification of the Jews.
They are not immediately recognized as our enemies, because they
avoid invective and the brazen lie..."

ADL report on the Institute of Arab- American
Affairs. "Members of the Institute for
Arab-American Affairs, as well as members of its Executive
Committee and its Advisory Board, have frequently sent letters
to the American press, particularly the New York Times and The
Herald-Tribune, refuting the Jewish point of view on Palestine,
and on the 100,000 displaced persons awaiting admission to
Palestine.

The Institute, which
maintains a checking account at the Chase National Bank, is
apparently supplied with substantial funds. The bank
sources revealed that his organization solicits only membership
dues of $10.00 from their mailing list of about 3,500, of which
they receive only a small fraction of paying dues. As of
last week, their bank balance was $9,000..."

July, August, October 1946
editions of The Facts. Warning label on the October
edition - "A word of caution: this report is confidential, and
we do not have permission to distribute it beyond our
professional group. Thus, we ask that you do not exhibit
its contents to any information-dissemination individual or
agency. It is exclusively for your own personal
information."

May 6, 1947 ADL Arnold Forster
letter to Secretary of State George C. Marshall asking that
Canadian Norman Jaques no longer be allowed into the United
States.

October 8, 1947 ADL "The Facts" - FBI
handwritten notation that "Previously we have not ack
[acknowledged] these letters from Richman. I talked with
[Louis B.] Nichols [Assistant Director] on one occasion and he
said it wasn't necessary! I just check with Maguire and he said
not necessary."

On October 17, 1947 writing on B'Nai B'Rith
letterhead, Paul Richman alerts the FBI that during the visit of
the Danish Gym Team to Cuba, a band played "The Watch on the
Rhine."

On May 18, 1948 Irving Kaufman asks if the FBI
knows anything about Communist infiltration of the ADL as he
"intends to go on the Board of Directors unless he is told of
some reason why he should not go...."

On July 8, 1948 Arnold Forster submits the ADL
report "Anti-Semitism in the United States in 1947"
The FBI summarizes the report's conclusions about "Unorganized
Anti-Semitism," "Organized Anti-Semitism" including how "Arab
propaganda agencies in the United States and their native allies
beclouded the Palestine issue with careful anti-Jewish
campaigns."

October 1949 correspondence over JTA story
that FBI had approved "Jewish" as a designator on crime report
forms.

October 13, 1949 J. Edgar Hoover letter to the
ADL, "A recent news story stated that
the FBI approved the use of the word Jewish as descriptive of
apparent nationality in connection with a form utilized by the
St. Louis Police Department. The
FBI had nothing to do with the formulation, approval or
endorsement of this form. As a matter of fact, the FBI
does not approve of such phraseology..."

Congressional Hearings of the
Subcommittee of the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive
Departments of the House of Representatives, Eightieth Congress,
October 3, 6 and 7 of 1947. Hearing explores damage to
reputations caused by secret files "made up in cooperation with
the American -Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League."
"It is all hearsay..." Chairman: "I will tell you they are
smear artists."

Arnold Forster, born Arnold Fastenberg on June
25, 1912, became the ADL’s Chief Investigator in the early
1940’s. This was after he applied to become a FBI special agent
in 1937 and 1939. Forster received unfavorable recommendations
because he “dressed poorly, did not appear resourceful, would
probably not develop, and was not mentally alert." The FBI
formally rejected him on October 18, 1939.

In 1951 the FBI responds to
allegations against Saudi Arabia and Egypt in an ADL report
titled "Workers for the Arab League in the US" by interviewing
an undercover ADL operative paid to cover Arab activities at the
UN while posing as a foreign correspondent.

FBI Director John Edgar Hoover
writes on November 23, 1951, "material which the Anti-Defamation
League has been channeling to this Bureau in the past is now
believed by the officials of the League to be absolutely
unreliable...the B'nai B'rith organization had been fraudulently
duped by the informant."

1957, a man paid to burn
ADL papers accuses the organization of being a communist front
and offers to work for the FBI.

FBI reviews 1957 press
releases sent by ADL, noting the campaign to free Soviet spy
Morton Sobell. SAC Arnold Forster writes ADL content,
"mainly restatements of the committee's claims, reprints of book
reviews of books sponsored by the committee, quotations from
briefs being submitted to the courts by attorneys sired by the
committee in support of their petition for a new trial, press
releases announcing plans for new court actions...plans for
meetings or dinners organized to raise funds."

1941 investigation of ADL
undercover operatives infiltrating the America First Committee
rally at Madison Square Garden using stolen media credentials.
An offer is made to someone with influence with the New York
Police to "make it worth their while" to drop investigation of
the stolen media credentials. "The whole incident is
typical of some of the objectionable methods—and also of the
influence—of the Anti Defamation League..."

"The ADL had brought
'tremendous pressure to bear on Commissioner Seery and the
Mayor's Committee on Press Cards to drop the Forster incident
the preceding night." Encouraged by Forster, reporter Walter
Winchel writes a story that the Alien Squad will undergo a
"Shakeup."

ADL operatives operating
under code name pose as reporters and strategize how to gain
control of the National headquarters while neutralizing OAS
chapters.

After receiving the report,
the FBI proposes investigating the ADL as an Israeli foreign
agent. "Apart from the biased approach evident in this
memorandum, it is believed it very possibly represents a
violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, as amended.
This report shows investigation conducted by ADL, using code
name sources, pretexts such as local news reporters, etc.
Also, on page 5 under recommendations, future investigation is
proposed, such as recruiting of Jewish refugees from
organizations such as HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aide Society) to
infiltrate the OAS in NYC. Of course, there is no evidence
to indicate this information is compiled on behalf of a foreign
principal, however, it is felt incredible to assume it is not
furnished to an official of the Government of Israel..."

1/17/1968 FBI Director Airtel to all FBI field
offices ordering them to establish liaisons with ADL regional
offices. "The ADL...maintains regional offices throughout
the United States. As you know, this organization, like
the Bureau, is opposed to groups and individuals espousing
bigotry, prejudice and extremism. It seeks to bring the
true facts concerning such groups and individuals to light..."

"In furtherance of these worthy objectives, the
ADL receives consideration information of interest to this
Bureau and has been very cooperative in the past in referring
such data to us. You are to immediately make certain that
you have established liaison with the head of the ADL regional
office in your territory and explain the jurisdiction and
interests of this Bureau. For your information, there is
attached a list of ADL regional offices.."

You should, of course, review your office
indices prior to making contact. Advise Bureau if contact
is not deemed advisable..."

On May 30, 1979, Leonard Zakim contacts the FBI's
Boston field office on behalf of the ADL New England requesting
a meeting about terrorism threats. On June 29, the FBI
reports it met with ADL officials who wanted a point of contact
to refer information. Special Agent in Charge James J.
Dunn informs the ADL of its national priorities, "Organized
Crime, White Collar Crime and FCI [Foreign Counterintelligence
work"

The ADL sends its "Special
Report" on the "P.L.O. and Arab Terrorism; a Decade of
Violence."

On July 2, 1979 Leonard
Zakim thanks his FBI liaison for the meeting and "a positive
relationship in the future."

On February 4, 1985 the FBI
national transmits to field offices (via Airtel) the ADL's 1984
status report on the Ku Klux Klan and Neo Nazi groups, as well
as lists of ADL regional office contacts.

FBI offices are ordered to
review the material. They are advised that "On 1/18/1985
the New York Division initiated contact with Irwin J. Suall,
Director, Fact Fining Department, ADL...these individuals were
advised of the primary jurisdiction of the FBI in civil rights
matters. Further, they were advised that any legitimate
civil rights allegation should be immediately brought to the
attention of the appropriate FBI Office. Mr. Suall
expressed his desire to cooperate and stated he would notify all
regional ADL offices of the FBI's responsibilities. It was
also established that each FBI office contact each Regional
Office to establish a liaison and line of communication to
promptly receive any allegations of civil rights violations."

1968 FBI Dallas receives ADL reports on the
American Nazi Party (ANP), United American Klans (UAK), and Minutemen
under liaison program. FBI Minneapolis receives ADL
liaison report on Mathew Stark's involvement with the "Negro
integration movement in the Twin Cities area" and that "Stark
may have certain political aspirations in view of his recently
avowed discontent with the policies and action of Mayor Naftalin
and Calvin Hawkinson, Chief of Police, Minneapolis." FBI
list of ADL liasons.

The FBI is asked to
investigate anti-Semitic vandalism of the Ahavat Torah
Congregation synagogue in Scottsdale, AZ. After installing a
machine to trace calls, they interview a suspect to admits to
placing harassing phone calls.

In 1992, the ADL sends copies
of its "Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents" to the FBI.

In 1992 the ADL forwards
letters complaining about its report "Anti-Semitism of Black
Demagogues and Extremists." (PDF) The FBI opens a case in September,
1992 based on the "threatening letters" the ADL believes are
from African Americans or "sympathizers of the Nation of Islam."

Although the ADL claimed "ADL
employees' lives are being threatened," the FBI determines the
"threats were not of an immediate or serious nature" and advises
the ADL on September 30, 1992. The ADL responds by sending three
more letters.

The ADL asks the FBI to open a civil rights case
after receiving confusing letters and
faxes accusing it of operating as a "mafia." The FBI closes the
case on September 2, 1998 after determining the letters were
non-threatening and failing to obtain
suspect's permission for an interview.

May 23, 1989 memo to expand
intelligence on civil rights violations in Denver field office.
Transcript of FBI Director William Webster speech to the ADL on
June 15, 1989, "Young and Violent: The Growing Menace of
America's Neo-Nazi Skinheads".

In 2003 the Jewish Federation
League, the ADL and a City Council candidate receive threatening
letters allegedly sent by "Pakistanis Against Zionist Interests
(PAZI). Candidate M.J. Khan denies supporting PAZI. The
PAZI flyer urges violence and support for M.J. Khan.
Speculation that Pakistani opponents of M.J. Khan circulated the
flyer. FBI feels case "does not warrant further investigation."
Khan wins City Council seat for District F.

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